The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-09
CURRENT LITERATURE.
A Brief Glance at the Contents of Some Of
the September Magazines.

The September North American Review opens
with the first of series of papers Possible
Presidents" 60 be written by their most trusted
friends. James G. Blaine hesds the list, and
the article is, of course, eulogistic, but the
name of the outhor is not given. the reader is
left to speculate to the identity of his most
trusted friend" As an Offset to the partisanshiD
of this paper is one upon "the Democratic out
look" by Henry Watterson. in which the re-
election of Cleveland is confidently pronhesied.
Capt. s. Fl. NJ. Byers contributes a brief but
vivid description of 'Sherman's March to the
Sea-" Jefferson Davis treats of the Life and
Character of Calhoun" and might be expect
ed, invests that distinguished Southerner with
the highest qualities of craftsmanship and pa
triotism. He Indignantly denies the s'odous
and unfounced' charge that Calhoun was dis
unlonist. and attempts to sho&that the nullif-
cation policy which he advocated was intended
to conserve. not to destroy the Union. DR..
Felix L. Oswald advocates summer refrigera-
ton, and says it needs special clairvoyance
to foresee that the cities of the future will have
refrigeration companies and arctic reservoirs
with network of codair pipes, and that
people will enjoy the luxury OF
having their homes cooled to
heated in the winter. Gen. Lloyd S. Bryce, in
a paper entitled "A Service of Love- gives
some interesting facts and suggestions concern
ing our State militia William Hosea Balou
speculat.s in entertaining way on the posi-
bic character Of the American of the future. He
believes that the amalgamation of races in the
United States has already resulted in a higher
type of man. and concludes that this assemb-
lage of nations the American continent. this
rapid developments of universal language by
the amalgsfnatlon of all tongues past and pres
ent, this formation of single race out of all
races, can only be regarded a colossal scheme
of nature to infltrate new life into humanity
and produce enduring and higher type of
men and language" David r. Locke writes in
q very positive way of the advan taees of prohi-
bition over the system of high license Yam
Phon Lee. a recent graduate of Yale College,
tells why he is not a heather, the article being
reply to Wong Chin Foo, who in q recent issue
explained why he was heather. William L.
Scruegs takes for mis- topic Blundering Ameri-
can Diplomacy" but out of the many instances
illustrative of his text he confines himself to
two. both having relation to tho attitude OF the
United States toward Central America.
The New Princeton Review for September
opens with a critical estimate of Lord Byron and
his works by Richard Henry Stoddard. which is
of great interest as showing how the trained and
mature mind of one, who is himself poet
we'll as a critic. may appreciate the genius of the
wayward and passionate SOUL and enter into
sympathetic understanding OF the Unbalanced
nature. FL. W. Conn discusses the different
theories of the origin of life and compares their
relative weight and value. The coming centen-
NAL celebration OF the federal Constitution
brings that great instrument up for discussion
in all the periodicals Students of constitutional
history. will study the points made by the vari
writers of interest and value. Prof. Alex
auder Johnston in the Review. points out the
Indebtedness of the trainers Of the document to
the work already done BY the States. Senator
ColQuitt, of Georgia, gives ''Some Plain Words
Prohibition" and Brander Matthews has
something new to say on the subject of interna-
ford contributes an interesting histori-
cal paper the Dorr Rebellion
in Rhode Island in 1892 Francis N. Zabriske
nnrj6 for. av,A
reality" He says of the essayist that he isis
not the commercial traveller the scientific
explorer. but rather the excursionist of lirera-
ture There may be several ways of reaching a
given point-as by railway. or steamboat. or
turnpike stage with relays of horses But there
may also be such a thing. as getting upon an
ambling horse into family phaeton. and
jogging on through bride paths or through
primrose and hawthorn lanes going bv the sun
and not the guide-book, making detours to
gather wild flowers. to gain wider prospect. or
visit some old mansion old friend.
Perhaps tbs way is worth more than the goal,
and is and in itself" "Fhe Towns Mind" is
political institution OF tho New England town.
"A Greek Girls Outing" is pleasant little story
of classic life. by Mrs Julia {. r. Dorr.
AS many times as the home of Thomas Jeffer-
son has been described, John Nicolay and Frank
Stockton have found it possible to say something
new or perhaps the old things in a new and en-
tertaining way, for the September Century.
Nicolay writes of the building Of the homestead
at Monticello. and Stockton tells something Of
its later history. A fine portrait of Jefferson
forms the frontispece Of the magazine. The
humorous complaints that the Hay -Nlcolay
history OF Lincoln mentions every one but Lin
coin himself no longer holds good, the Septem-
Der installment containing account of his
nomination to the presidency and events i'm
mediately following. "Snubbin' thro' Jersey" is
a thin thread of text which to string
some very pretty illustrations. An article
in amateur photography also serves the same
and Nu.ri,iona serve. w. o. Atwater "A his
text for this month-the series, Of which this is
the fourth. being of professional and technical
rather than q popular character However,
four writer's describe the chief events of the
siege of Petersburg with vvidness only posi-
BILE to those who were themselves participants.
on the Trainers and Framing of the Constitu-
ton" sketch entitled Helen" by Harriet
Bradley, is interesting only as showing what
may come of the tendency of women
work themselves for tho sake of the public
Frank Stockton's serial, 'Tbe Hundredth Man.
draws to close, and Joel Chandler Harris's
''Azalia" inspires the reader with a mild i1ter-
est. Three sonnets of not very conspicuous
merit and two stanzas entitled Mother and
Artist" by Alice Williams Brotherton, complete
the poetry of the number.
The hygenic character of Home knowledge
is clearly indicated by the table of contents Of
the September number. Felex L. Oswald, M.
D., takes the view that vaccination transmits
more disease than it prevents, and endeavors,
though not very successfully. to prove that it
is curse. John F. Mccain, M D., treats of
water and its relations to health; Alexander
Wilder, M. D., discusses insanity and its proper
treatment; Rev. Charles p. Mccarthy describes
some of the phenomena OF mesnerism and
urges the use of this mysterious power upon the |
insane. Lana D. Starr dscourses in a practical |
manner upon "Ads to Beauty" Geo. Covert, M. |
D., extols the virtues of rest as curative agent
in al. classes of disease mental or physical. and |
John p. Nolan, M. D.. sustains the medical |
character of the magazine by telling blood |
curdling doctors story. Published by the Home |
Association, New York.
Some of the instructions laid down for the |
benefit of literary workers by contributors the
W ritter not likely to meet with the unquali- |
fed approval of editors and experienced writers.
The suggestion for instance. that poets who |